(Newser)
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GOP leaders fear that John McCain's campaign has hit the skids, the New York Times reports. A flurry of staff resignations, a hobbled national crew, and doubts about McCain's ability to capitalize on Democrats' troubles all add to the mix. Not to mention that McCain's drive is nowhere near the efficiency of President Bush's 2004 re-election bid.

“I think any Republican who doesn’t say panic is in the wind is lying through their shirt,” said Ron Kaufman, a former adviser to Mitt Romney. "The question is, is that panic caused by McCain’s campaign—or lack thereof in some respects—or is it the climate?”